I wanted to ask everyone about bedding options for the differently abled...I can;t get down to the level of a regular air mattress, so I am considering a cot or a high air mattress. Can someone tell me in detail what the cots are like, how they are built, etc.? I have a bad back so I need support...couldn;t sleep on a piece of canvas stretched on a wood frame. Are there more comfy ones? Also, would I need to bring a pump for an air mattress? Or could I borrow one? I understand there is power in DART...Any suggestions/info would be very welcome!

I, myself, have not tried it, but I do know that some people use milk crates for risers and a sheet of plywood covered with a really thick foam mattress. As for air mattresses, there are some that are higher off the ground than the ones that sit just a few inches high. I know that I would be more than happy to let anyone use my air pump when I bring it. As, I'm sure, would anyone else camping near you. I think the one snag in that scenario would be the type of air pump your particular air mattress would use. I'm not certain they are all the same. Of course, if you bought one in advance, and asked for help on this board, I bet you would find someone that volunteer.

I don't really know what the DART area has available for your use. Hopefully someone else will post about that question.

I switched from a high air mattress to a camping cot a couple of years ago and am so glad I did! I found a decent cot on eBay for about $60 including shipping. It has an aluminum frame and very strong nylon 'bed'. There is no sagging at all. It's about 24" off the ground so getting into and out of bed is easy. The height also makes it easy to store things underneath if that's something you can do. Carrying weight is about 12-15 lbs. I love my cot!

They're really designed as guest beds, but they fold up well enough to load in the car for camping. They are quite steady. Because we already have Thermarest Dream Times, we put those on top of the cot and it's crazy comfortable.

Good to know: the folding cot is the same width as the XL Dreamtime.Extra bonus: you can store stuff under your cot during festival.Super extra bonus: we use these as guest beds at home when we have visitors.

Hi CeliaI purchased a cot after many years of camping on a thermarest on the ground. I too, now find it difficult to go up and down like I used to. I put my new cot up in my apt to test it out for a few days- I found that with my thermarest on top and a nice set of sheets, I had a good nights rest. I would not want to sleep on the cot for the rest of my life, though! Love my memory foam mattress.I considered using my air mattress- but for me- it does not hold air long enough for it to be as firm as I like.I will be a festie virrgin- so can re-post in September after I have digested the whole experience!

Any suggestions for a moderately priced extra sturdy cot? I purchased one recently that claimed to be good for people up to 375 lbs. Iweigh 50 lbs less than that, but it was all bent out of shape after two nights of testing, and I will be returning it. Until recently, I have always been comfortable on just a regular thermarest, but my bad hip doesn't like that anymore.Elizabeth

Any suggestions for a moderately priced extra sturdy cot? I purchased one recently that claimed to be good for people up to 375 lbs. Iweigh 50 lbs less than that, but it was all bent out of shape after two nights of testing, and I will be returning it. Until recently, I have always been comfortable on just a regular thermarest, but my bad hip doesn't like that anymore.Elizabeth

I don't have a recommendation per se, but consider checking camping cots geared toward hunters. I remember when I was on my search for the perfect cot, I was impressed by the weight range and apparent sturdiness of hunting cots. (The prices were commensurate with quality, so I think this will be a bit of an investment.)

I use the queen size bed that folds out like an accoridan, I think it is Coleman. Has a suede sleeve that the air mattress fits into. The air mattress is a heavier better weight mattress. I then top with a memory foam topper for more comfort and use real sheets. I have used this for the last three/four fests and used it over the fourth for a six day camping trip and was comfortable the whole time. This sits up off the ground and you can even sit on it to put on shoes, etc. It is a bit heavy, but I feel worth the weight since I am also fuller figured and cannot get up off the ground. I got at the evil empire (Wal-mart) on sale for $99. I think both Target and Kmart have a similar brand, although I think this one had a better mattress than at the other two stores.

Unfortunately, a little too long for my tent (sloping sides), and I'd lose about 25% of what I paid for it to ship it back. If anyone is interested, I will bring it to fest and sell it to you at cost. Here are the specs:

I'm bummed, because it's a nice solid cot and good for those who like a non-sagging surface. I slept on a similar one last year borrowed from a friend, and I felt well-rested. Anyone interested can message me here on the boards, or find me on the land (Amy, aka Ironwomyn), probably drumming with Ubaka or dancing salsa at the intensive workshops.